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Cover Story :Maternal Mortality Rate in Nigeria A Rising Concern

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Due to rising cases of maternal mortality in Nigeria and its causes Nigerian Tracker’s Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa takes a look and files in this report

Maternal Mortality Rate (MMR)–the rate of deaths that occur due to complications from pregnancy or childbirth–is a pressing issue that demands urgent attention.

Research has shown that Nigeria is one of the top three African countries with the highest recorded cases of MMR. In 2023, the World Health Organization (WHO) reported that South Sudan and Chad had the highest MMR rates, with Nigeria ranking third.

The rise in maternal mortality is most prevalent in rural areas of the country. Between 2008 and 2018, states in the Northeastern and Northwestern regions recorded higher numbers compared to those in the Southeastern and Southwestern parts.

Furthermore, the Federal Ministry of Health recorded that between 2019 and 2022, out of the 36 states in Nigeria, only 15–16 actively participated in post-natal care. The postpartum period accounts for 27% of maternal mortality cases.

In response, the federal government, through the Ministry of Health and in collaboration with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG 3.1), launched the National Strategic Health Development Plan II. By 2030, the plan aims to reduce Nigeria’s maternal mortality rate to no more than 70 deaths per 100,000 live births.

Healthcare is Dead in Rural Areas”—Dr. Nurudeen Mustapha Speaks on Causes of MMR

Dr. Nurudeen Mustapha, a medical doctor at the maternity ward of Ahmadu Bello University Medical Centre, highlights the gravity of the situation.

 

Dr Nuraddin Mustapha ,Medical expert

Dr Nuraddin Mustapha ,Medical expert

“Maternal Mortality, as defined by the World Health Organization, refers to the deaths of women due to complications from pregnancy or childbirth—either during delivery or up to 48 days postpartum. In Nigeria, for every 22 women who give birth, one dies. This contrasts sharply with developed countries, where maternal deaths occur only after thousands of births.”*

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Dr. Mustapha attributes Nigeria’s high MMR to multiple factors, with marginalization of rural communities being a significant contributor.

“Access to proper healthcare is nearly impossible for people living in rural areas. As a result, they resort to self-administered healthcare, often performed by untrained individuals pretending to be midwives. This leads to complications, including severe hemorrhaging during childbirth—one of the major causes of maternal death.”

Illegal abortion is another contributing factor.

*”Unwanted pregnancies are rampant in our society. Many young girls under the age of 15 get pregnant, and in an attempt to terminate their pregnancies, they succumb to fatal complications.”

Additionally, hypertensive disorders and pulmonary edema—excessive fluid buildup in the lungs—are serious contributors to maternal deaths.

“Women with severe hypertension, particularly those over the age of 35, face heightened risks. Their cases often result in respiratory failure, leading to mortality.”

“Government Negligence Fuels Illegal Healthcare Practices”—Dr. Mustapha Criticizes Unregulated Hospitals.

When asked about the recent deaths at Afolmi Hospital in Durumi, Abuja, Dr. Mustapha did not hold back.

 

“This tragedy could have been avoided if the government actively enforced policies regulating healthcare facilities. Many illegal hospitals operate without consequences, allowing untrained staff to perform life-threatening procedures. Corruption is a major impediment to effective enforcement.”

On April 27, 2025, reports surfaced that Afolmi Hospital, along with staff member Murtala Jumma, was implicated in the deaths of two women due to childbirth complications. Jumma was reportedly responsible for a failed cesarean section that led to one of the fatalities.

The Path Forward: Experts Urge Government Intervention

According to Dr. Mustapha, improving maternal health in Nigeria requires strategic actions.

“Pregnant women should maintain a healthy diet and attend antenatal appointments regularly to monitor both their health and that of their baby. Family planning is also crucial, as excessive childbirth increases the risk of cervical tears, contributing to maternal mortality.”

 

 

Government intervention is equally vital.

Authorities must ensure that rural communities have access to quality healthcare facilities. In urban areas, medical personnel should receive fair remuneration to discourage them from leaving the country. Unregistered hospitals operating illegally must be shut down, and violators should face severe penalties.”

Maternal mortality remains a critical issue in Nigeria, especially in rural regions where healthcare is virtually non-existent. Without immediate action, the country faces severe economic consequences due to dwindling manpower and reduced contributions to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

Regulating abortion, enforcing hospital standards, improving healthcare infrastructure, and retaining medical professionals through better compensation could drastically reduce Nigeria’s MMR rate and safeguard the lives of thousands of women.

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Wike Kick-Starts Campaign for 2027 Election, Urges Rivers Electorates to Vote Tinubu

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By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike on Tuesday urged the electorate in Rivers to support President Bola Tinubu for a second term in 2027 to sustain the progress being recorded in the state.

Mr Wike made the appeal during his “thank you” visit to Degema Local Government Area of Rivers.

He cited the unprecedented attention Tinubu is giving to Rivers ranging from development projects, appointments, and human capital development.

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The minister, who said that the Rivers people ‘never had it this good’, urged the people to continue their support for Tinubu to sustain the gains.

He noted that although the due attention given to Rivers was attracting envy from every quarters, supporting the reelection of Tinubu would take Rivera to greater heights.

He explained that the visit was to thank the people for the continued support, urging them to replicate the gesture in 2027.

Earlier, Peter Abe, member representing Degema LGA in the State Assembly, thanked Wike for providing the needed leadership in the state.

Mr Abe said that all communities in the state were witness to what the minister did in 2023, which was beneficial to all people in the state.

He thanked Wike for steering the state to progress, assuring him of the readiness of the people to follow his directives in 2027.

The Chairman of council, Michael Williams, assured the minister of continued support, adding that all the community structures in the LGA would support the reelection of Tinubu.

Williams noted that Wike initiative to support the election of Tinubu in the state in 2023 has brought progress in the state, stressing that supporting his reelection bid would sustain the progress.

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2027: Ex-DSS DG, Lawal Daura to Contest Katsina Governorship

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By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

 

Former State Security Service Director-General, Lawal Daura, has announced his plans to run for the 2027 governorship election in Katsina State. He criticized the current administration’s performance and highlighted ongoing security issues as key reasons for his decision to enter the race.

During an interview with DCL Hausa on Tuesday, Mr. Daura stated that he has finished consulting about his political aspirations and will soon reveal the political party under which he plans to run.

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He said, “I have been making consultations on the platform to use to contest, and the consultations have been concluded. Very soon, I will make the platform known.

“Why do people serve for one or two terms? If they get it right, fine. But if the reverse is the case, then there is no point in seeking re-election. It is obvious the current governor is not capable.

“It is like putting a load on somebody and adjusting it. If he complains that the load is too heavy, you have to take it down to avoid destroying fragile items. For the current administration, we can say thank you for your efforts, but you should take a break because you can’t continue.

“I never saw myself coming out to contest. I admire politics, but I only participated from the background.”

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Court reverses dissolution of NNPP executives

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Kano high court has invalidated the dissolution of state, local and ward executive Council of the New Nigerian Peoples Party (NNPP) in Kano, amounting the decision of the National Working Committee (NWC) null and void.

In an exparte order granted by Justice Nasiru Saminu on Tuesday, the equally restrained the National Working Committee of NNPP from taking any further step regarding the leadership structure of the party in Kano until the hearing and determination of motion on notice filed by the plaintiff.

In a suit No. K/06/2026 instituted by one Abdullahi Zubairu Imam and five others (plaintiffs) on behalf of the executive Committee of NNPP at 44 local government areas of the state was filed against the New Nigerian Peoples Party (NNPP) as defendant, challenging their dissolution.

In the interim injunction, Justice Saminu also directed all parties to maintain Status-Quo-Ante as at 30th December, 2025, prior to the purported dissolution directive issued by the NWC of the party.

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“After hearing on the matter filed by K.K. Njidda Esq with S.A. Muhammad Esq counsels to the Applicants the court hereby order an interim injunction restraining the Defendant/Respondent either by himself, his agents, privies cohort, ad-hoc Committees, National Working Committee or any other persons acting on its Instruction howsoever described from appointing Caretaker Committees for the State, Local Government and Ward levels Executives of Kano State or taking any further step In respect of the subject matter of this suit pending the hearing and determination of the Motion on Notice filed before this court.

“An order of interim injunction mandating the Defendant/Respondent maintain STATUS QUO ANTE as at 30 December, 2025 prior to the purported dissolution of the Kano State, Local Government and Ward levels executives pending the hearing and determination of the Motion on Notice.

“AN ORDER of this Honorable Court granting the Plaintiffs/Applicants to issue and serve the process in this suit on the Defendant at its National Secretariat situate at 11 Mahatma Gandhi Street, Area 11, Garki Abuja, Nigeria which is the outside the jurisdiction of this court”. A copy of the order as signed by Abba Sa’ad, registrar read.

Recall that the NWC of the NNPP declared the dissolution of the executive Council of the party across the party structure in Kano following the suspension of Hon. Hashim Dungurawa as Chairman of the party in the state. Dungurawa has been replaced by Abdullahi Abiya in acting capacity.

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